According to the Washington Post, Republicans are expected to block a Senate bill that would gradually increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. Nevertheless, Democrats are hoping that their fight to increase the minimum wage will help them win votes in November’s congressional elections.
The Wall Street Journal reports that New York City’s teachers are “forging an amicable relationship” with the government, despite the fact that they are engaged in complex contract negotiations. On Saturday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said that he had a “natural partnership” with Michael Mulgrew, the President of the United Federation of Teachers.
The Wall Street Journal provides updates on a strike at a manufacturing plant owned by Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings), a Chinese company that supplies shoes for Nike and Adidas. Earlier this month, factory workers in Dongguan, China walked off the job, alleging (among other things) that they not received adequate social insurance payments. According to the Journal, China’s central government confirmed that Yue Yuen Industrial underpaid its workers’ social-security insurance and ordered the company to rectify the situation quickly. The Journal also reports that the strike will cost the company nearly $60 million dollars ($27 million in direct losses and $31 million in increased benefits for workers this year).
The New York Times Editorial Board reflects on working conditions in Bangladesh one year after a building collapse killed more than 1,100 garment workers. The Board acknowledges that labor groups, Western clothing companies, and the Bangladeshi government have taken some steps to improve conditions for Bangladeshi employees. Nevertheless, the Board contends that there is much more work to be done.
Daily News & Commentary
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January 14
The Supreme Court will not review its opt-in test in ADEA cases in an age discrimination and federal wage law violation case; the Fifth Circuit rules that a jury will determine whether Enterprise Products unfairly terminated a Black truck driver; and an employee at Berry Global Inc. will receive a trial after being fired for requesting medical leave for a disability-related injury.
January 13
15,000 New York City nurses go on strike; First Circuit rules against ferry employees challenging a COVID-19 vaccine mandate; New York lawmakers propose amendments to Trapped at Work Act.
January 12
Changes to EEOC voting procedures; workers tell SCOTUS to pass on collective action cases; Mamdani's plans for NYC wages.
January 11
Colorado unions revive push for pro-organizing bill, December’s jobs report shows an economic slowdown, and the NLRB begins handing down new decisions
January 9
TPS cancellation litigation updates; NFL appeals Second Circuit decision to SCOTUS; EEOC wins retaliation claim; Mamdani taps seasoned worker advocates to join him.
January 8
Pittsburg Post-Gazette announces closure in response to labor dispute, Texas AFT sues the state on First Amendment grounds, Baltimore approves its first project labor agreement, and the Board formally regains a quorum.